Cover for siding trim member

ABSTRACT

A cover for a siding trim member which has an integral J-channel includes a peripheral three-sided edge portion that includes a peripheral C-channel and a raised central portion. The C-channel of the edge portion is designed to slide over the peripheral edge of the J-channel holding the cover in position and protecting the electrical outlet or plumbing fixture within said trim member.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

When plastic siding is applied to a building, trim members are used toeither surround a faucet or electrical outlet. There are numerousdevices to accomplish this, such as those disclosed in Vagedes U.S. Pat.No. 4,726,152 and McCleod U.S. Pat. No. 4,920,708, the disclosures ofwhich are hereby incorporated by reference. These trim members include aJ-channel that allows siding to butt up against the edge of the trimmember. The J-channel includes an outer peripheral flange that concealsthe cut edge of the siding. When a plug is inserted into an exteriorelectrical outlet, it is exposed to the weather. Water can get on theplug and cause a short.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises a cover for a trim member that has anouter peripheral flange. The cover includes a flange on three sides anda raised body portion. The peripheral edge of the flange includes aC-channel which is adapted to slide onto the outer peripheral flange ofthe trim member. Because the cover is open at its bottom, it can slideover and cover a plug inserted into an electrical outlet. The same covercan cover a faucet surrounded by a trim member. This will keep waterfrom the inside of the trim member and/or the electrical outlet, isaesthetically appealing, and, further, will partially insulate a faucet.

The objects and advantages of the present invention will be furtherappreciated in light of the following detailed description and drawingsin which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view partially broken away of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view demonstrating attachment of the presentinvention to a trim member.

FIG. 3A is a cross sectional view taken at lines 3A-3A of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3B is a view similar to FIG. 3A showing a faucet.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As shown in FIG. 1, the present invention is a cover 10 which attachesto a trim member 12 which is fastened to the exterior surface 13 of abuilding wherein the exterior surface 13 is covered with siding 14.

Typically, the trim member 12 includes a J-channel 16. The J-channel 16includes a nailing flange 18 adapted to attach to the exterior 13 of thebuilding, a neck portion 20, and an outer peripheral flange 22.

There are a wide variety of trim members which have a J-channel. Some ofthese, for example, are disclosed in McCleod U.S. Pat. No. 4,920,708;Vagedes U.S. Pat. No. 4,726,152; and Vagedes U.S. Pat. No. 5,526,619.

An exemplary trim member, mounted with an electrical outlet 26, is shownin FIG. 3A. As shown, a plug 27 is inserted in outlet 26. An alternateembodiment, shown in FIG. 3B, surrounds a faucet 28. The trim member caninclude a one-piece J-channel or a two-piece J-channel as disclosed inMcCleod U.S. Pat. No. 4,920,708.

The cover 10 includes an edge portion 11 having a top flange 32, andside flanges 34 and 36. These flanges include a C-channel 38 which runsalong the peripheral edge of flanges 32, 34 and 36, respectively. Thetop flange 32 and two side flanges 34 and 36 correspond in size to threesides of flange 22 of trim member 12 with the C-channel 38 adapted toengage the peripheral edge 42 of J-channel 16.

The cover 10 further includes a front body portion 44, which is raisedabove the plane of the peripheral flanges. Front portion 44 includesthree side panels 46, 48 and 50, which extend from the top flange 32,and side flanges 34 and 36, respectively, up to a central panel 46. Asshown, the bottom side 54 of cover 10 is open and raised, allowing thecover to slide over the trim member 12.

As shown, the trim member 12 is attached to the side 13 of the buildingusing nails 30, or other fasteners. The siding 14 is then applied andbutts up against the neck portion 20 of the J-channel 16.

The cover 10 slides onto the J-channel 16 with the C-channel 40 engagingthe peripheral edge 42 of the J-channel, holding the cover 10 inposition. Because the body portion 44 is raised, cover 10 can pass overeither the outer surface of an electrical outlet 26, or a protrudingfaucet 28. An inner edge 51 of cover 10 may press against a top edge 53of trim member 12, holding the cover 10 in position.

Cover 10 prevents water from getting into the inner portion of the trimmember, and, further, will provide some protection from the elements.When a plug 27 is inserted in electrical outlet 26, the cover 10 canslide over the trim member 12 and plug 27 with the cord 29 extendingfrom the open bottom of the cover 10. This keeps water off of the plug27 and outlet 26. Finally, the cover is aesthetically appealing,providing a cleaner appearance to the side of the building.

This has been a description of the present invention along with thepreferred method of practicing the present invention. However, theinvention itself should only be defined by the appended claims, WHEREINI CLAIM:

1. A cover for a siding trim member which has an integral peripheralJ-channel and a peripheral outer edge; said cover comprising an edgeportion extending around a top and two opposed sides and a body portionextending from said edge portion; said edge portion including aC-channel configured to slide onto the peripheral outer edge of saidJ-channel; said cover having an open bottom portion whereby said covercan slide over said trim member with said peripheral edge of said trimmember positioned within said C-channel wherein said body portion israised relative to said edge portion providing an opening to permit anelectrical cord to extend into an area between said cover and said trimmember.
 2. (canceled)
 3. The cover claimed in claim 1 wherein said bodyportion includes three sides extending away from said edge portion and acentral portion connecting said three sides.
 4. A siding trim membercovered with a removable cover wherein said trim member includes aperipheral J-channel having at least three sides each side having aperipheral edge; said cover having an edge portion having three sidesand a body portion extended from said sides; said edge portion includinga peripheral C-channel with said peripheral edge of said J-channelposition within said C-channel connecting said cover to said trim memberwherein said body portion is raised relative to said edge portionproviding an opening to permit an electrical cord to extend into an areabetween said cover and said trim member.
 5. The sever siding trim memberclaimed in claim 4 wherein said body portion has three side membersextending away from said edge portion and a panel connecting said threeside portions.